DENTAL CARE

Q: I’m Glad that You Can Do All the “Hard Stuff ”? A: That was what a patient told me recently. They were referring to the fact that for an overwhelming majority of my patients, having to travel to a variey of different doctors in order to accomplish treatment goals does not usually happen. Usually when I see a patient, they were told or under the assumption that visits to an oral surgeon or periodontist were needed in order to place their dental implants. These dental implants would be used for anchoring individual teeth, a bridge or even a denture. After this portion of the procedure was done, they would go another specialist or a general dentist to finish the work. All my regular readers know that in my practice, this is not the usual protocol. Typically, I plan and design the treatment in conjunction with your desires, wishes and goals. Together we proceed to bringing you to a state of dental wellbeing. So when a patient refers to the “hard stuff”, they are usually talking about placing the dental implants. I will grant you that most dentists, even in 2017, don’t place dental implants, but that is not what I think of when someone says the “hard stuff”.

Yes, placing dental implants takes skill and training. There is definitely a surgical component to it and many additional factors must be considered. I teach ongoing courses to other dentists to share my knowledge and experiences so that they can embark upon their own path in this exciting field. Yet, after all is said and done, I don’t consider that the “hard stuff ”.

The real “hard stuff ” begins after the implants are placed. Creating the shape and position of the teeth is what is the real challenge. This is especially true when it comes to full dentures. Fillings or crowns are very precise. Either they fit and fulfill their intended purpose or they don’t. If they don’t, it is usually relatively easy to fix, repair or do them over to reach our goal. When it comes to dentures, there are so many factors to consider. Let’s discuss a few of our challenges.

Unlike a filling or a crown, a denture sits and rests on some soft tissue. Even an implant supported denture has a soft tissue component. The soft tissue of the mouth is just what is sounds like. It is soft … it is not rigid like a tooth. So the fit involves taking a rigid denture and putting it on quicksand … the base, your gum tissue, is moveable. Therefore the fit can never really be solid. There will always be some movement. When we make a patient a replacement denture, it may never fit like their original denture. The mouth has changed over the years and therefore the fit will change. Yet in the mind and the expectations of the patient, they yearn for days gone by. At times we can attain this level but many times we can’t quite get there. You, the patient, have changed. This means that everything about your new denture may also change.

Another component of the “hard stuff” is your ability to handle a new set of teeth that move around. Every patient is different. Abilities and expectations are different. For any of you who have played golf, I’m sure that you have heard of the mental component of the game. Some players psyche themselves out of playing well. Their minds do not let them reach their true potential. The same is true for a denture wearer. The patient has a skill to learn. Some patients do better than others. Some patients need much more time. Some patients need some aids or “crutches” to allow them to function. Everyone of you is different. This is really the “hard stuff” as I have no control over this. I can only advise, guide and encourage you on your journey, much like a coach. But only you can travel on that journey.

Those of you whom I have had the privilege of helping know how much time that I will spend with you. You know how many visits are sometimes necessary. Of course many, in fact, most of you will have a treatment that proceeds beautifully and expediently. But for those of you who need the extra time, you know that I will work to help you get to your optimal result. Optimal is different for everyone and part of my “hard stuff ” is figuring out your optimal.

So, yes, that statement is correct. I do the “hard stuff”. But sometimes, what you think is simple and straightforward is really quite hard. If you are ready to take a step forward in your dental health or just have questions as to how to proceed on your personal journey, please call me at 440.951.7856. I look forward to hearing from you. The Healthy Smile 34586 Lakeshore Boulevard (¼ mile west of Route 91 on Lakeshore Boulevard) Eastlake, Ohio 44095 440-951-7856 Severance Medical Arts, Suite 603 5 Severance Center Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 216-371-2333 www.jeffreygrossdds.com